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Sports Nutrition

Osteoarthritis is a widespread condition that causes pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. Dietitians can play an important role in managing patients with osteoarthritis by supporting healthy eating habits, which should include the nutrients that support healthy joints. They also can encourage patients who are obese to reduce weight and increase activity levels. Joints require many nutrients to stay healthy and to regenerate new tissue, including calcium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin...

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate supplements are the most widely used dietary supplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis, with an annual sales of nearly 730 million in 2004 66 . Glucosamine is an amino monosac-charide that is the most fundamental building block required for the biosynthesis of several classes of compounds that require amino sugars, such as glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans 67 . The raw material for glucosamine is derived from chitin, a biopolymer present in...

Collagen is a vital component of structural matrix throughout most tissues and organs in the human body. It is concentrated in cartilage, where it plays a significant role in the integrity of joint-related connective tissues. The important role played by collagen in joints is vividly shown by the severe generalized arthritis associated with collagen gene mutations 78,79 . The amount of collagen in the diet can be increased by consuming specific foods, such as meats with gristle or connective...

Methylsulfonylmethane MSM is another dietary supplement that is taken for the treatment of joint pain from arthritis. Its benefits for patients with osteoarthritis were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 50 men and women 40-76 years old with pain from osteoarthritis of the knee who were enrolled in an outpatient medical center 75 . The patients received MSM 3 g or placebo twice each day 6 g d for 12 weeks. The outcomes included the Western Ontario and...